Padding up for Square & Compass for the final time as he and wife Vicky make the move to Coffs Harbour, the stalwart, and soon to be Australian representative, top-scored with 52. 

Unfortunately Square & Compass couldn’t send him out a winner, with Delungra chasing down their 135.

It was Higgins’ second consecutive half-century, and brought to a close a distinguished career in Inverell cricket since moving to the town in the early 2000s.

The better part of the last 10 of those he has played with Square & Compass, captaining what was a young side to two B grade premierships before making the jump to A grade, where they again tasted premiership success.

Higgins was the only player over 20 in the team.

On top off his on-field exploits he has been an invaluable member of the local association. 

He is a life member of the Inverell Cricket Association and served as president for several seasons. He has also helped with curating for the NSW Country Championships as well as for the Kurrajongs Test Match.

But while he has called stumps on his time in Inverell, Higgins’ days in the middle are far from over.

In February next year he will tour New Zealand with the Australian over-60s side.

Higgins declared cricket as his first love after picking up a bat around the age of 12, and he’s barely put it down since.

In mid-October, he represented New England at the State over-60s Championship held in Maitland scoring three 40s (batsmen were required to retire at 40) and a 19 from his four innings.

Three weeks later he played for NSW at the Australian Championships in Penrith, where he notched two half-centuries (this time players had to retire at 50), 44 and four, and was named man of the match in the two games where he scored 50.

NSW went on to make the final but were defeated by Victoria. 

Higgins was one of only two players from the side to gain selection in the Australian team for the upcoming tour.

“It was an honour to be selected for the tour,” he said. 

“Veterans cricket has come a long way in the past 10 years. I hope I can do Australia proud.”

Higgins grew up in Gloucester before moving to Sydney to study. 

Starting as a 19 year old, he played cricket for Randwick for three years alongside the likes of Mike Whitney and local NSW representative Gary Bensley.

He then played two seasons with Penrith and three with Newcastle after moving to Maitland for work.

He later moved back to Gloucester and went on to represent NSW Country for three seasons.